Biggest Esports Tournaments These Past Years

Esports have surged in popularity over the past several years, with dedicated gamers and fans alike throwing their weight behind this quintessentially modern phenomenon. None of this would be possible without the video gaming industry’s considerable evolution since the early 2000s, as there is one main ingredient in the esports cocktail that is absolutely indispensable – the games themselves.

One of the most obvious ways to get a taste of esports’ popularity these days is by looking at the prestigious tournaments that have propelled the entire industry forward. These competitions pit professional gaming teams against each other, playing games such as Dota 2 and Counter-Strike, with prize pools regularly exceeding millions of dollars.

While headline events such as The International are the main examples, the esports industry’s healthy state has spawned numerous smaller global competitions and leagues, creating an extremely vibrant competitive gaming ecosystem.

Investigating the largest esports tournaments in the past several years is the best place to start, as getting a comprehensive idea of the overall esports industry and its competition ecosystem is a massive task. There is so much happening, but the largest and most significant tournaments remain the best way to experience the full impact that the esports world is having on competitive entertainment.

With that in mind, we’ve explored some of the most popular and impactful esports tournaments over the past decade. We’ll also cover some of the best ways to enjoy these competitions.

What Are Esports?

First things first, what are esports? Understanding this is essential before diving into tournaments, as the concept of an esports competition won’t make much sense without knowing what it actually involves.

Fortunately, the concept is simple. Esports is all about competitive video gaming, where players and teams compete in structured tournaments or leagues for potentially massive prizes. While there are numerous games currently used in the esports format, the industry is closely associated with several major titles, including:

• League of Legends
• Dota 2
• FIFA
• Fortnite
• Rocket League
• And many more…

Biggest Esports Tournaments Over the Past Years

The International

The world’s premier Dota 2 tournament and widely regarded as the most prestigious esports competition. Recent prize pools have exceeded $2.5 million, making it one of the most lucrative events in the gaming world.

League of Legends World Championship

The flagship League of Legends competition attracts millions of online viewers each year. It’s one of the most-watched esports events, featuring the best teams from around the world battling for supremacy.

CS: GO Major Championships

The jewel in the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive esports calendar. This bi-annual competition is sponsored by Valve and regularly features prize pools exceeding $1 million.

Best Ways to Enjoy Esports

It’s one thing knowing about the largest and most popular esports tournaments nowadays, but this knowledge is relatively worthless if you don’t know how to take full advantage. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy and complement the competitive esports experience:

Esports Growth across multiple platforms and sectors

Esports betting is extremely popular nowadays, with fans often placing wagers on various aspects while they watch. This can include anything from the overall tournament winner to various hyper-precise markets, like the first kill during a League of Legends match. Placing a bet on esports has been made easier by modern sportsbook platforms, which can include features such as in-play wagering and integrated streaming. Moreover, these companies also provide various bonuses and promotions to complement the experience.

Watch on streaming sites

One of the simplest ways to enjoy the major esports tournaments and various other smaller competitions is by watching on streaming sites like Twitch. These competitions can draw in millions of viewers nowadays, with the most recent 2024 League of Legends World Championship drawing an incredible 6.91 million viewers.

Go to Live Events

If you think watching esports online is exciting, just wait until you experience the atmosphere inside the stadiums themselves! Live esports events are hosted in massive venues, featuring:

• Giant screens that display real-time action.
• Immersive sound systems that make you feel like you’re in the game.
• The chance to meet your favorite esports stars and fellow gaming fans.

Play Yourself

This isn’t for the faint of heart, but the best way to enjoy a direct esports experience is playing yourself. You could go from hero to zero by starting your own esports team, for example, and you never know how far things might go. Just remember that esports professionals are insanely good at gaming, so you’ll have to practice.

Final Thoughts

Esports have become one of the biggest entertainment phenomena of the 21st century, with massive tournaments, dedicated fans, and an ever-growing industry. Whether you’re watching from home, placing bets, attending live events, or even participating yourself, there’s no shortage of ways to engage with the esports scene.

From The International to the League of Legends World Championship, the world of esports is filled with high-stakes competitions that continue to push gaming to new heights. If you haven’t yet explored this exciting world, now is the perfect time to dive in!